Cross Ange: The Knight of Hilda

Chapter 30: On You Own Two Feet

It wouldn't be long now. Less than 50 minutes before the merger was complete and the new world would begin. A world better and far more beautiful than either of its predecessors. At the foot of his strategy table, Embryo surveyed the most recent data from the pillar's scanners. With the aid of his reaching stick, Embryo pulled the pirate ship figurine towards the coast of Misurugi where the automated fleet lay waiting. Further inland, his four black angels and one black dragon stood as the last line of defense for the castle and the treasure kept within.

"It's time," he smirked. "I've played my hand. How will you play yours?"

"Enemy fleet has opened fire!" Spider warned. "Aerial torpedoes coming in range in five seconds."

"Firing cryo torpedoes," Pamela confirmed. From the lower bow of the Aurora, six warheads were launched as dozens of bombs plunged into the water and raced towards them. Just before they could meet, the cryo torpedoes detonated and the sea froze into a wall of ice that the incoming barrage crashed into.

"Seems like Embryo's arranged a little welcome party for us," Jasmine joked as the ship passed unharmed through the scattered remnants of its barrier.

"Well then let's not be ungracious guests," Boss answered. "Surface and prepare to fire." Along the bridge window, the surface of the sea fell away as the Aurora breached. "Time to return the favor. Give them both barrels."

"Yes sir," Ersha said. "Activating weapons systems. CWIS online and scanning for targets. Absolute Zero Cannon charged to 44%. Deploying weapons now." Along the aft hull, the landing pad slid open to reveal the 34 tube missile battery which discharged its payload to rain down on the fleet. The surface of the sea ignited in flame as the first wave of drone ships sunk in twisted hunks of burning metal. On the Aurora's nose, a forward panel slid open and a dual beam turret rolled forward.

"Vulture, fire at will," Boss ordered.

"I'm on it," Vulture confirmed. The forward turret shifted position on its mount and dual lances of emerald death shot across the water, each one scoring a hit on the command towers of the fleet's second wave.

"We're approaching the coast," Boss announced. "Tell all pilots to prepare for launch. We're taking to the sky."

"You heard the man," Jasmine ordered. "Shift to flight mode, set engine output to 80% and ready the Quantum field." Along the Aurora's port and starboard aft, a pair of wings folded out from the hull. Beneath these wings, the sea swirled and spread out from the ship as the anti-gravity repulsors pushed against the natural gravity of the world and the Aurora lifted off into the sky. Once clear of the water, the air around it shimmered as the Quantum field encased the ship in its protective bubble and the Dawn Pillar loomed before them.

Embryo frowned as he waved his reaching stick and cleared the ship figurines from the map. Barging in through the front door, he mused. Not very subtle Alektra. From across the table, Embryo pushed a pile of coins towards the pirate ship when sensors in the Dawn Pillar warned him of two new signals to the west and northeast of the city. Exactly as expected, he thought as he placed two additional pirate ships on the board. Finally, the one he was waiting for made her appearance. Before the flagship of the pirate fleet, Embryo placed another angel figurine. But unlike the ones guarding the castle, this one was white.

"I think I've had watched enough," he decided. "It's time for me to join in the game."

"Ange!" Boss called over the P.A. "We've got incoming at twelve o'clock. Move in to intercept. Vulture will give you cover fire from the forward beam turret."